Author Night

The long-awaited Author Night at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum in Milwaukee is tomorrow night. I'm eager to see how everything turns out.

If you haven't gotten your tickets, still time to do so, go to: Villa Terrace website to get them.

Article in Shepherd Express (Milwaukee)

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My new car - 2013 Chevy Cruze!

Five-star review!

Just received a five-star review from a reader on Amazon.com!

Check it out: http://www.amazon.com/A-Life-Worth-Dreaming-About/product-reviews/1468543008/ref=cm_cr_pr_hist_5?ie=UTF8&filterBy=addFiveStar&showViewpoints=0

Just added

I have added a book signing event from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Martha Merrell's Books and Cafe, 231 W. Main St., Waukesha, Wis.

It's a big day in downtown Waukesha. In the morning is the season's first farmer's market. Also taking place is a breast cancer awareness walk, followed by an Art Crawl. I will be signing/selling copies of my novel, "A Life Worth Dreaming About," at Martha Merrell's. I, along with Martha Merrell's, will donate portion of the proceeds toward breast cancer research.

Be sure to come out and support a local author and a worthwhile event.

www.nickdettmann.com

West Bend recap

I can't complain with the kind of day that was had at the 15th annual Spring Fair to Remember on Saturday at the Washington County Fairgrounds in West Bend.

I sold three books and was interviewed by the community television station. It may not sound like much, but it was another opportunity to get the word out about my book.

I encourage those who have read it to please send feedback, whether it's by contacting me directly or by posting reviews online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and/or Goodreads.com. All reviews are sincerely appreciated.

My next appearance is one a big one: Author Night at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1.

For more information, click on the link: Author Night

Just arrived!

Just arrived! Complimentary pens or magnets with a purchase of "A Life Worth Dreaming About" at an upcoming appearance.

April 20: West Bend Spring Arts and Crafts Fair, West Bend, WI, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
May 1: Author Night, Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, Milwaukee, WI, 7 p.m.
May 4: Art Crawl/Breast Cancer Research Walk, Martha Merrell's, Waukesha, WI, 2-5 p.m.
May 11: Lakefly Literary Conference and Book Fair, Oshkosh, WI, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Info on upcoming events

Career Day and talking to kids

Today was a fun day. For the third year in a row, I was a presenter for the annual Career Day at Silverbrook Middle School in West Bend. It's an event I very much look forward to. I get to talk about my job and share my neat experiences with the kids. I also got a chance to talk about my book, which the kids asked a lot of questions about, most of which were around how much money do I make.

Today was maybe the best of them all. In the previous two years, I had about 50 kids total sign up to want to hear my story. This year, the number was over 200!

I was paired with this couple who run a photo business out of their home in Hubertus. What a nice couple. The girl, Amy, was a UWM grad from Hartford and played soccer. But get this, she has the same birth date as me!

Probably the best part is when I said when I get free food when I go to Packers' games, a bunch of eyes lit up like Christmas lights :)

Priorities right?

Riverwest Radio and Burdock Radio Interview

On Wednesday, April 3, I did a taping for an interview on Riverwest Radio and Burdock Radio. We talked about my inspiration for writing "A Life Worth Dreaming About," the challenges in the publishing industry today and upcoming events, among many other things.

Here is the link to the interview: Riverwest Radio

Don't forget. Coming up on Wednesday, May 1, I will be at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, 2220 Terrace Ave., Milwaukee.

I will discuss the inspiration for writing my book, the creative journey, and the process of self-publishing.  I will entertain questions from the audience and have copies of my book available for signing and purchase. Call Ann at (414) 278-8295 or email RSVP@cavtmuseums.org to make reservations. The cost is $8 for museum members, $12 for non-members. Get your tickets today!

Coming out soon!

I will have free pens and/or magnets for those interested. All you have to do is download my free mobile app on your smartphone or iPad to find how to do so.

Trying to spread the word

This week, I was turned down for the Printer's Row Literary Fest in Chicago. That was added to the list, which includes the Cincinnati Book Festival, the Fox Cities Book Festival and the Southeastern Wisconsin Book Festival. What did all four have in common? They each told me they don't take independent/self-published authors because there is not enough of a following.

Here's where I'm irritated. How am I supposed to get a following if I won't be admitted into these festivals. I knew Cincinnati was a long shot, Chicago would've been tough. But I don't understand why a Wisconsin book festival(s) won't support local authors.

If somebody can help me figure out how to develop a following without being able to take part in book festivals, which is a great opportunity to develop an audience, would be greatly appreciated.

I sincerely appreciate the Lakefly Literary Conference folks for taking me in on such short notice. That is May 11 in Oshkosh. And I'm extremely appreciative for the two festivals I've been to in Minnesota for giving me that opportunity.

It is a growing trend where writers/authors such as myself have to go to the independent route because the odds of being traditionally published are much worse than they've ever been.

Sorry for the rant, but I needed to vent.

A sincere thank you to all those who continue to support me.

Sad phone call

Got a bit of sad news on Tuesday evening. Bookfinders in Stevens Point is closing. The store was one of the great supporters for me and my novel.